As hospitals, clinics, and private practices adopt new tools and digital systems, educational institutions have to mirror these developments to train the next generation of healthcare professionals. But how can healthcare education keep pace with the rapid advancements in technology?
One of the best ways is for institutions to incorporate innovative technologies right into the curriculum, allowing students to work with the same tools they’ll encounter in their careers. This might mean teaching students how to use high-fidelity simulators on manikins (from neonates to adults), utilizing electronic health record (EHR) systems to manage patient records, or getting hands-on experience in equipping operating rooms with the proper tools.
Some vocational schools, such as ACC, integrate this industry-current technology directly into their healthcare programs. The associate degree and diploma programs at ACC are also designed to accommodate students with busy schedules — so students don’t have to sacrifice their responsibilities or the quality of their healthcare education.
Why is Industry-Current Technology in Healthcare Education Important?
From manikin-based simulators and augmented reality healthcare applications to robotics being integrated into surgical training programs, the latest healthcare technology is constantly evolving. Colleges and universities must keep up with these advancements to ensure graduates gain the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the healthcare field.
If schools fail to integrate these modern tools, students risk missing out on crucial practical experience. This deficiency can jeopardize both their career readiness and the safety of their future patients. Here are a few other reasons why industry-current technology is so critical in healthcare education:
Enhances Learning
One of the best ways to learn is by doing; that’s why so many accredited healthcare colleges like ACC employ hands-on learning in their curriculum. Advanced tools allow students to better absorb new information.
Interactive learning methods, such as patient-simulating manikins, take education beyond traditional lectures to more engaging, immersive experiences. They also accommodate diverse learning styles, which ensures that students can effectively understand the material.
Prepares Students for Real-World Healthcare Settings
Integrating industry-current technology into healthcare education is key to achieving practical readiness. By developing hands-on skills that are directly applicable to healthcare environments, students are better equipped to handle real-life scenarios with greater confidence and skill. Students who already know how to use industry-standard technology also tend to transition more easily into their healthcare careers.
High-fidelity patient simulators allow students to practice managing critical conditions like cardiac arrest, allergic reactions, or traumatic injuries in a realistic yet controlled environment. This is a crucial component to students' education, as it teaches them how to quickly and accurately deal with a distressing situation in a professional manner. In addition, students can familiarize themselves with EHR systems — building their knowledge on how to navigate patient data and maintain accurate documentation.
Technology in Healthcare Programs at ACC
American Career College offers 13 healthcare programs designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the healthcare sector.
Each program seamlessly integrates advanced technology and industry-standard equipment into the learning experience. This hands-on approach ensures students gain practical skills, prepare for industry-recognized certifications, and build a strong foundation for successful careers.
Below are some examples of how ACC's innovative healthcare programs are leveraging technology to shape the future of healthcare education.
Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)
The Occupational Therapy Assistant program is designed to teach students how to assist patients of all ages with things like developing fine motor skills and improving hand-eye coordination. Students will gain practical experience to help patients overcome physical challenges and improve their overall quality of life.
Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), the Occupational Therapy Assistant program offers the following equipment and technology:
- Adaptive equipment
- Comprehensive pediatric therapy area
- Electrotherapy, cryotherapy, ultrasound, hydrocollator, and paraffin modalities
- Fully equipped bathrooms, a functioning kitchen, a bedroom, and a washer-dryer station
- Hand evaluation kits with dynamometers, pinch meters, and goniometers
- Pulse oximeters and blood pressure kits
- Sensory modulation supplies for adults and children
- Wheelchairs with position equipment
All of the above can be found in the OTA program’s Activities of Daily Living (ADL) lab, a hands-on environment where students can reinforce what they learned in class while receiving support from experienced professionals in the field.
Toward the end of the program, students will apply what they’ve learned by working directly with patients (adults and children) under the supervision of a qualified occupational therapist practitioner.
Learn more about ACC’s Occupational Therapy Assistant associate degree program.
Pharmacy Technician
Want to learn how to help keep a pharmacy operating smoothly? Pharmacy technicians gain firsthand experience by working directly with their industry’s tools and technology, mastering tasks such as receiving medication requests, updating patient records, and filling prescriptions.
At ACC, hands-on pharmacy procedures are practiced daily in the lab, meaning students will learn how to use a variety of equipment, such as:
- Anatomical charts/models
- Conical and cylindrical graduates
- Laminar-flow workbenches
- Mortars and pestles
- Ointment slabs and spatulas
- Triple beam and electronic balances
After completing classroom and laboratory training, students must then complete a 320-hour in-person externship, which reinforces the skills learned throughout the program.
Learn about ACC’s Pharmacy Technician program.
Vocational Nursing (LVN)
The Vocational Nursing program at American Career College helps prepare students to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). Each part of the curriculum blends thorough classroom instruction with hands-on training to ensure students can perform tasks like measuring a patient’s heart rate, monitoring their blood pressure, and collecting data to pass on to the doctor.
In each lab, students work with a variety of equipment, including anatomy charts, glucometers, medication carts, and procedure kits. Students also practice using authentic tools like stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, electronic and tympanic thermometers, as well as mobility aids like wheelchairs and walkers. Training on hospital beds with overbed and side tables also helps to ensure that students are prepared for real-world patient care.
One of the most critical components of the Vocational Nursing program is that students have access to procedural anatomical manikins. These advanced manikins provide realistic feedback — such as sweating or mimicking an increased heart rate — to teach students how to think quickly and critically in stressful situations.
Discover more about ACC’s Vocational Nursing (LVN) program.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
The ADN program at American Career College helps prepare students to take the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX) and attain their RN licensure. It offers real-world, hands-on experience alongside a curriculum that’s aligned with the NCLEX content to teach students the fundamentals of nursing.
In ACC’s nursing simulation labs, students will get hands-on experience with lifelike manikins, practicing tasks like monitoring vital signs or even assisting in a simulated childbirth.
Dental Assisting
Preparing for dental procedures, maintaining patient records, and instructing patients on oral hygiene are core skills for a successful dental assistant. ACC’s Dental Assisting program emphasizes hands-on training and real-world preparation to help prepare students for the demands of modern dental practices.
Throughout the program, students gain practical experience with a wide range of equipment, including amalgamators, high-speed and slow-speed handpieces, ultrasonic equipment, and X-ray units. In labs, students perform essential tasks such as:
- Creating molds
- Managing dental equipment
- Performing coronal polishing using practice manikins and typodonts
- Preparing instrument trays and tools for use on patients
- Processing X-rays
Students also learn to operate tools such as autoclaves, vacuum formers, and oral evacuation delivery units within industry-current labs.
Plus, the Dental Assisting program helps prepare students to take the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) exam and earn their Coronal Polishing and Pit and Fissure Certification.
Learn more about ACC’s Dental Assisting program.
Respiratory Therapy
Looking to learn how to evaluate, treat, and care for patients with breathing difficulties? ACC’s Associate Degree in Respiratory Therapy program is designed to teach future respiratory therapists how to care for patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders.
In addition to evaluating breathing disorders and providing emergency care, a key part of the program is learning how to operate devices such as therapeutic gas administration apparatuses, environmental control systems, and aerosol generators. For instance, in the mechanical ventilation lab, students learn how to assemble, test, and prepare equipment for patient use.
When using equipment, students have the chance to practice on adult, pediatric, and neonatal practice manikins, which teach them how to manage oxygen levels, support lung expansion, and properly clear airway obstructions.
Upon completion of the Respiratory Therapy program, students will be qualified to sit for the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) exams.
Read more about ACC’s Associate Degree in Respiratory Therapy.
Choose a School That Embraces Innovation in Healthcare Education
Whether students are enrolled in one of the programs highlighted above or any of ACC’s other healthcare diploma and degree programs, they’ll train in hands-on environments using industry-current tools and equipment found in today’s healthcare facilities.
From practicing on anatomical manikins that react with lifelike feedback to using up-to-date software systems, ACC’s programs are designed to prepare students for a rewarding career in healthcare.
No matter which healthcare specialization you pursue, make sure you build a strong foundation by enrolling in a program that prioritizes innovation and a forward-thinking curricula.
Ready to pursue a career in healthcare? Learn more about our campuses in Los Angeles, Orange County, and Ontario — and request information today!
